By: Ghaiesha Legrand
A mesmerizing spectacle unfolded in front of Juan Ramon Jimenez Hall during the University of Maryland’s annual Maryland Day.
Invited by the Korean Student Association, a group of dancers named UMD GGWB took center stage, enchanting the audience with their dynamic performance. UMD GGWB seeks to express its admiration for Asian culture and dance by creating dance covers of Kpop, Cpop, Jpop and other genres and showcasing choreographies crafted by Asian dancers.
Mari Ortega, a senior majoring in immersive media design with a professional writing minor at the University of Maryland and the president of GGWB, shed light on the group’s evolution.
“GGWB is an Asian pop and hip-hop dance team. At the heart of GGWB’s mission is a commitment to spreading knowledge about Asian pop culture, “ Ortega said. “On campus, the group performs at various cultural events, captivating audiences with our energetic performances and showcasing the rich diversity of Asian music and dance.”
Reflecting on the group’s performances, Ortega highlights their diverse engagements, from on-campus events to off-campus festivals like the Korean Festival at Arundel Mills. GGWB’s inclusive nature, is the heart of the group’s mission, welcoming both seasoned dancers and those simply drawn to Asian pop culture.
“Beyond the university, GGWB we’ve participated in events such as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in DC and numerous off-campus events in the DMV area. We also hold workshops and GGWB events for people who don’t necessarily have dance experience or don’t want to dance but are more interested in the Asian pop side,” Ortega said.
Maryschka Aziaka, a junior majoring in informative science at UMD and another member of GGWB, joined the group in her freshman year. Her passion for dance and the camaraderie within the group is evident. Maryschka enthusiastically shares,
“I’ve been dancing my whole life, so I came here just to dance. Besides, the group does fun dance covers that I greatly enjoy. It’s been so fun so far,” Aziaka said.
Eulalia Voo, a freshman psychology also shares her enthusiasm about being part of GGWB.
“My journey with dance dates back pretty far in my life, as I started Chinese traditional dance when I was about 4 years old and transitioned into ballet a couple of years later until 4th grade,” Voo said. Since I grew up around here, UMD has been relatively local to me so I knew about
GGWB before coming to college. I knew pretty much since applying here that if I went here I
wanted to join GGWB, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Amid Maryland Day’s celebrations, GGWB stands out for its electrifying performances and dedication to building connections and fostering inclusivity within the university community. Through dance, GGWB transcends barriers, uniting individuals in a shared passion for Asian pop culture and creating lasting memories for all participating.
“GGWB is always inclusive to new members, and we make sure we keep our community as judgment-free as possible. I always encourage people to come to a workshop and try it out, even if they don’t have any dance experience, because what’s most important is that they have fun!” Voo said.
When asked how interested individuals could get involved, Ortega provided contact information, mentioning the group’s Instagram and TikTok under the handle UMD GGWB.
“Though it is a student club at UMD, we’re open to students in the DMV area, and, of course, over 18 just for liability purposes, ” Ortega said.
Featured Image courtesy of Ghaiesha Legrand.